Leon Whitley scored both goals before bing sent-off as Lache FC defeated Birkenhead Town 2-1 to lift the Chester & District Football League Cup.

The two top teams in the Premier Division produced a fiercely competitive contest at the Swansway Chester Stadium on Monday night.

In a tight first-half, both keepers were called on to make a couple of outstanding saves as the sides tested each other to the maximum.

Rob Courtney was the first to break the deadlock with a cracking goal to give the advantage to Birkenhead.

Lache responded by piling on the pressure, which paid off with Whitley scoring deep into injury time at the end of the first-half.

As the teams left the field for the half-time break frustrations spilled over, resulting in a sending off for Birkenhead and a yellow card for Lache.

Following the restart, Lache made the extra man count with Whitley netting his second to put his side ahead but his overexuberant celebrations earned him a second booking, leaving both teams with 10 men.

Both sides went close in the closing stages but Lache held on to pick up their second piece of silverware this season.